Wreath Laying at National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

It was a somber day Wednesday in Washington DC.  Along with Executive Director B.J. Lawrence, Director of Operations Bob Jackson, and Comms & PA Director Rob Couture, I made the trek to the Pentagon for what was supposed to have been a closed ceremony honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Unfortunately, in what has become all too frequent in our society, COVID fears canceled the actual ceremony.  Nonetheless, we were still able to place our Veterans of Foreign Wars wreath and pay our respects to the fallen.  We were given a window of time to be at the Memorial without any other veteran service organizations around and we owe that to the great relationship our Washington DC staff has with members of the Pentagon staffs.  Still limited on what we could do and where we could walk, but within those confines we were given a very nice tour.

A member of the Honor Guard was assigned to us for the duration.  He did not have a name badge or rank, so I can't give him proper respect for his military bearing and dedication to his duty.  Nonetheless, a true professional.  He was so proud to be in the Army and confided when we spoke privately that he just became an American citizen this year, hailing from the country of Guyana.  This man is a true patriot!

As we walked among some of the benches, individually named for each of the casualties, my guide explained that each bench was sitting at a 43 degree angle, which was the angle of attack the airplane took.  The direction of the benches coincided with the flight path also.  As you enter the memorial, the first bench you see is that of a young woman.  She was the youngest person to die that fateful day and as you move further into the memorial the benches are arranged by the age of the person.  Seeing the large carved numbers for each year of birth as they descended into the distance was truly a sobering moment.  One moment full of life and the next, a name on a bench.  Take nothing for granted my dear readers.

We were unable to visit the bench named after William R. Ruth, of Mt. Airy, Maryland because of the restrictions.  An Army Chief Warrant Officer, Bill had just been sworn in as his VFW Post Commander the day before, on 10 September.  Likewise, we were unable to visit another VFW member's bench, Jamie Fallon of the Dale City VFW Post 1503 in Dale City, Virginia.  Two members of the VFW family died at the Pentagon these twenty years ago.  To learn more about their lives, please read the article about them in the September 2021 issue of the VFW Magazine.  You can also read the article in the Magazine's digital edition here:  http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?m=3914&i=715473&p=14&ver=html5

I am presenting the keynote 9/11 address at Bill's Mt Airy VFW Post 10076 this Saturday, twenty years to the day these shameless attackers took his and nearly 3,000 others' lives.  Afterward, we will re-dedicate and rename the Post in his honor, a fitting tribute.  

A solemn tribute and salute to our two fallen comrades

Learning the finer details of the attack and the aftermath from this outstanding Honor Guard soldier

[Photo credits to Rob Couture, VFW]

Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 at Darlington!

From my outstanding Dream Flight Saturday morning we headed over to the fabled Darlington Racetrack as guests of Gordon Logan, Founder and CEO of Sport Clips.  The partnership between the VFW and Sport Clips goes back more than a few years and they are the driving force behind the Sports Clips – VFW Help a Hero Scholarship!  Every semester we award scholarships to service members and veterans, up to $5,000 each, to continue their education.  Quickly approaching the $10 Million dollar plateau we have helped over 2,000 people in their educational pursuits.  All of this money comes from the generous donations of Mr Logan at Corporate but also from their many franchisees and owners who every year hold fund-raising efforts to help our military members.  Mr. Logan is an Air Force Vietnam veteran and his heart is clearly with the VFW as we continue our mission to ensure No One Does More For Veterans!  I’m proud to serve on the VFW Foundation Board of Directors along with Mr. Logan.  He’s full of ideas on what’s best for the organization and was the driving force to get VFW in lockstep with Darryl Fisher and Dream Flights.  It’s all about people and relationships and he is oh so good at it!  You’ve never met a more modest man who will give you anything you need if it’s going to help someone.  If you aren’t getting a famous MVP haircut at any one of the MANY Sport Clips locations across the country, I suggest you look them up for the best haircut experience you will ever have!  Even Mama Cass enjoys going to our local location and they treat her even better than they treat me!  Go to a Sport Clips, get an MVP, and while you’re there, support the Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship fund!

Gordon was the consummate host and we were located with him and the Sport Clips team in a prime location on the infield, near turn 2.  When I say near, well, it was just a simple chain link fence and a few feet separating me from the track!  There were tents and tables, as well as a wonderful spread of food and beverages in the massive trailer the entire weekend.  Golf carts shuttled us to Pit Row whenever we wanted to get really near the action.  They also took us out to the Midway outside the track where the VFW had a joint North Carolina and South Carolina recruiting team set up.  In a day and a half these great workers recruited almost 100 new members and raised awareness of what the VFW does on a daily basis.  Strong work team and I’m so glad I was able to work out there with you on both days!

And, of course, there was work for me at this event.  I did radio interviews, met a lot of people, and in general did my thing as the Commander-in-Chief of the greatest combat veterans organization in the world.  It was a “be seen” weekend and I could not have done it without the great assistance of Lynn Rolf and Corey Hunt from our National Headquarters.  They ensured I was where I needed to be at the right time with the right information.  Everything I do is a team effort friends; I could not do this without the yeoman work of our professional staff.  We also got to spend a lot of time together talking about how to make the VFW a better place for veterans, service members, and their families.  It’s this one on one time that pays great dividends because everyone has an idea or two that just might lead to great things.

A lot of photos and videos are already floating around the internet about this great Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 weekend, but I do have to add some here.  Yes, I did get to say those famous words:  Drivers, Start Your Engines!  And, yes, I was a bit nervous standing, by myself, in front of all those many thousands of great Americans in the stands.  The Track Announcer gave me some great advice to make this memorable and after all of the driver introductions, etc, I said to myself, “The Time Is Now!” and did my thing.  Here’s a clip, courtesy of Matt Claussen, who recorded it from the television.  Judging from the final words of the broadcaster, I’m going to say Mission Accomplished!

Tv announcement  https://www.facebook.com/100012978438785/videos/3059570127660351/

For a different perspective, Lynn captured the same action with me facing the announcer and the stands: 

Track side announcement   https://www.facebook.com/1437604953/videos/3112927072284659/

While the Sport Clips car didn’t win the Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 race Saturday because of an unfortunate incident [after leading almost the entire time], it was still a thrilling day to be part of this. We came back for two races on Sunday and the Sport Clips hospitality seemed to double!  And, again, I got to do things on behalf of all the members of the VFW, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me the honor to represent you.  Mr Logan believes in the VFW.  He and his entire team ensured we had the best time and we certainly cemented our relationship for many years to come simply by deepening our friendships.  We’re in the people business!

Once again, thank you Mr Logan and the entire Sport Clips team!  Check them out, get an MVP haircut, and donate to the Help A Hero Scholarship at www.SportClips.com #SportClips @SportClips

Lynn Rolf, VFW Director of Programs, and yours truly in the Pit Booth on the edge of the track.

Gordon giving me the finer points of the Pit Booth...no hearing protection as the race had not yet started!

Absolutely loved the patriotic outfit of the Track Announcer...and his advice was perfect!  He was so excited for me.

Sunday evening at the Sport Clips infield location.  It was high end and so were all of the races!

A view from the top of the Sport Clips trailer.  We really were close to the track.

The first of several radio interviews with Gordon

In the track announcer's booth waiting to go on the air

Yeah, it was a cool moment to be on that track....

Assisting with the presentation of the Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 Trophy!  Too bad we didn't win it, but in life, things happen.

In the winner's circle...Mr Logan sure did make me feel like a winner out there!

Sitting in the Pit Booth...you cannot imagine the speed of things happening on this track!  There's no way I could even get my seat belt off in the time they change four tires and fill the gas tank.

"The Fallen 13" memorial and seating area put together by North and South Carolina at the Membership booth on the Midway outside the track.  To the right are several pop up tents where information was handed out and memberships were taken!  This was an inviting and inspiring impromptu set up and the crowd loved it.

A nicer view of the memorial

Gordon Logan, CEO and Founder of Sport Clips and his favorite VFW dog...Mama Cass!

A Dream Flight at Darlington!

The Time and Place:  Last weekend, September 4^th on a pretty Saturday morning, at Branhams airport, a grass strip outside of Darlington Speedway.  We drove out to meet Darryl Fisher, CEO of Dream Flights and driving force behind Operation September Freedom, a joint venture with VFW and several other sponsors, including our great friends at Sport Clips!  It was a beautiful crisp morning, no clouds, no wind…as Darryl noted, “This is a 9.9 out of 10 day to be flying in a Stearman Bi-Plane!”  And he was so right.  Also at the field were Sport Clips representatives and a lot of VFW members from both North and South Carolina, to include Department Commanders Russ from NC and Dwight from SC.  It was so nice they turned out to watch me take the ride of a lifetime!

Operation September Freedom is Darryl’s baby and we have worked almost a year to bring it to fruition.  Over the months of August and September, the goal was to fly as many World War II veterans in all 50 states in these historic WWII bi-plane training aircraft.  Lots of logistics of course but worth every minute of planning over the many months.  The first flights started at the beginning of August and will go through the end of September.  To date, we’ve flown almost 500 WWII veterans in 46 states…our goal is to fly 1,000 veterans from World War II.   Many of these veterans at near or over the age of 100!!  For many it was the thrill of a lifetime and they opened up about their wartime experiences for the first time since the 1940s.  We are fortunate to have had so many family members and VFW members turning up at local airports all over the country to cheer these heroes from yesteryear on to their planes and into the skies.  It’s an awesome tribute to the greatest generation!

The plane Darryl chose for my flight had special meaning for him!  It was built in the 1940s as a training craft and his grandfather purchased it as war surplus in 1946.  It had been in the family for years and then was sold.  Later, the person who bought it from his grandfather wanted to sell it and Darryl said YES before the conversation went any further.  What a great back story about this particular plane and how special it is to Darryl.  After getting instructions on how to get my rather large frame into the front seat [I have no idea how centenarians managed to do this with the grace they have shown!], I climbed up the side of the open cockpit aircraft and got belted in.  Donning the obligatory leather hat, I was ready to go!

As we taxied down the small grass airstrip I once again realized how fortunate I am to do the things I do as the VFW Commander in Chief.  Thank you everyone for your faith in me to do this!  Darryl and I talked over the intercom and the fun soon began.  As we zoomed down the grass I looked left and saw the VFW and Sport Clips folks waiving and cheering and we were up in the air!  “Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth….!”  Flying at just over 1000 feet and an average speed of 100 mph, with an open cockpit, it truly was flying.  And yet, not a bump, no wind, beautiful temperature and blue skies all around.  It felt like being in a glider as we flew all around the local area.  We flew over the Darlington Speedway several times and it was pretty neat thinking that later in the afternoon I’d be in the middle of that infield doing my thing with the Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 race!

Thirty minutes later, much later than anticipated because it was just so darn wonderful up there, we came back for a landing.  Circling the airstrip we came in for the smoothest landing on the softest grass you can imagine.  My cheeks still hurt from smiling so much!  Marcus the flight engineer and youngest pilot in the Dream Flights team at 24, hopped up and unstrapped me.  It really was just a web belt harness keeping me in that thing.  I was concerned we would need a small crane to pull me out of the front seat but I managed to climb out without losing too much of my dignity.  Then again, who cares how you look when you’ve just had the thrill of a lifetime, right?  Lots of pics and videos have already been around social media, but I was just happy to savor the moment and think how wonderful this must be for the great World War II veterans who are experiencing Dream Flights as part of Operation September Freedom all over the country.

After climbing out, Darryl and I stood by the plane and made some remarks to the nice crowd that stayed the whole time, sharing thanks and stories.  Darryl said he had something for me and presented me a really cool Operation September Freedom/Dream Flights ball cap, complete with a nice message and autograph on the bill.  In turn, I had a little something for him:  A $10,000 donation from the VFW to Dream Flights so they can continue the awesome work they do.  Darryl immediately asked if anyone had another hat! You can see the check presentation [I'm already wearing my hat!] at 

  https://www.facebook.com/1437604953/videos/pcb.10227922516275102/2657682957872902

 What a thrilling start to a great day!  Check out Dream Flights and Operation September Freedom on the many platforms they have.  If you see a flight coming near you, I encourage you to take the time to see our Greatest Generation having the time of their lives!  You can also make a donation to keep these planes in the skies with our World War II veterans!  https://dreamflights.org/ and FB @DreamFlightsOrg

Flying and Smiling!

The 1st Special Service Force was an elite American–Canadian commando unit in World War II, under the command of the United States Fifth Army. The unit was organized in 1942 and was memorialized in the movie The Devil's Brigade, a 1968 film starring William Holden, Cliff Robertson, and Vince Edwards, focusing on the force's training and deployment to Italy.  There are only 36 living members of this Unit remaining.  Three have flown in this very bi-plane and signed by their unit logo!!  Thank you Earl, Walt, and Bert for all of your service and sacrifice!

Flying over the Darlington Racetrack

Signing this very special aircraft

Thank you VFW and Dream Flights for giving me this great honor!

Some of the VFW gang mugging for a picture after the flight.  Special thanks to State Commanders Russ [NC] and Dwight [SC] for helping to make this morning special

A beautiful ending to a wonderful Dream Flight!